After nearly half a calendar year full of stupid NFL decisions and moments, we wrap things up with Super Bowl XLVIII. Here are the five stupidest things that took place during Super Bowl XLVIII.

1. Peyton's first really bad decision

Interceptions are complicated and usually not all about the quarterback. Plus, the coverage from the Seahawks was superb and bad passes aren't necessarily bad decisions. Instead, Manning's two stupidest plays happened when the Broncos desperately needed a touchdown when trailing 22-0 late in the first half. The first came when Manning went to Julius Thomas here…

Rather than Wes Welker…

2. Peyton's second really bad decision

And then on fourth down, in pretty much a do-or-die situation, he overlooked an open Julius Thomas for a first down and instead attempted a low-percentage throw to Demaryius Thomas, which was deflected and incomplete.

It was basically game over at that point. Very un-Peyton-like.

3. Why are they PUNTING???!!!

And why did Joe Buck and Troy Aikman fail to realize/point out how stupid it was for Denver to punt the ball away down 29 points at Seattle's 39-yard line in the third quarter? I realize that the odds of converting 4th-and-11 are bad, but you've got nothing to lose, good field position and the best quarterback in the world. There's no way gaining even 38 yards in field position is worth it there.

In this case, John Fox gained his defense 31 yards on the ensuing drive, but they gave away a big opportunity and lost nearly four minutes in precious clock time before getting the ball back.

4. Why are they RUNNING???!!!

Sometimes Manning outsmarts himself. On the play before that punt, he checked to a draw handoff to Montee Ball. On 3rd-and-10 against that defense, that's ridiculous.

5. Why are they CHALLENGING???!!!

Nobody in the world thought this was a forward pass, John…

Challenges for the sake of challenging are usually stupid, and sometimes very costly later in games.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.